Hitit and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have taken another step forward in their long-standing collaboration. Building upon a partnership that began in 2018 and was renewed in 2023, the two companies have now extended their cooperation to include Hitit’s Crane Crew solution. As of October 1, Pakistan’s flag carrier will begin using Hitit’s Crane Crew software, marking a new era in its crew planning operations.
October 1, 2025 – Istanbul / Islamabad – Hitit, the second-largest airline IT provider in Europe and Africa and the third-largest globally, has taken its partnership with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to a new level. Starting from October 1, PIA has gone live with Hitit’s Crane Crew solution to manage its crew operations.
Over the years of collaboration with Hitit, PIA has been using a wide range of solutions from the Crane Solution Suite. These flexible and cost-efficient solutions have enabled the flag carrier to run its operations smoothly and effectively. The success and satisfaction derived from this partnership prompted PIA to renew its contract in 2023. Building on this positive experience, and after nearly two decades of using another crew management system, PIA has now chosen Hitit’s Crane Crew solution.
Crane Crew to Manage Approximately 2,000 Flight Personnel
Founded in 1955 and currently operating 74 routes to 32 destinations across 13 countries, PIA manages a large-scale operation and will now handle the crew management of this extensive operational network covering approximately 2,000 flight crew members using Hitit’s Crane Crew solution.
Hitit has continuously enhanced Crane Crew, a long-established crew management software recognized in the global aviation industry, by adding mobile and optimization modules. Today, it offers these solutions to a wide range of airline worldwide. Thanks to its robust infrastructure and advanced technology, Crane Crew supports the end-to-end planning and operational processes of pilot and cabin crews. The system schedules flight crews in accordance with the airline’s timetable and equipment assignments, ensuring compliance with internal operating rules and international regulations, while facilitating the notification, execution, and monitoring of these plans. Additionally, Crane Crew leverages smart algorithms to generate cost-efficient, balanced crew schedules that account for critical factors such as costs, regulatory requirements, company policies, and crew preferences, providing operational data and scenario-based options to support decision-making.
Mobile Revolution in Crew Management: Crew in Touch
The system has been further strengthened with functional modules including irregular operations management (IROPS), training, and workforce planning. It also features the Crew in Touch mobile application, which establishes a direct link between flight crews and planning and operations departments. Crew in Touch supports crew members in their work processes and contributes to the smooth execution of crew management operations through real-time data exchange. By collecting preferences, requests, and feedback, the application also enhances crew satisfaction and loyalty.
Hitit’s crew management and operational planning solutions are driving industry innovation both in passenger services and the digital transformation of flight crews.